Academic literature on the topic '658.5:655.1'

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this research was to assess galvanic behavior of lingual orthodontic brackets coupled with representative types of orthodontic wires. Materials and Methods: Three types of lingual brackets: Incognito (INC), In-Ovation L (IOV), and STb (STB) were combined with a stainless steel (SS) and a nickel-titanium (NiTi) orthodontic archwire. All materials were initially investigated by scanning electron microscopy / x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) while wires were also tested by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). All bracket-wire combinations were immersed in acidic 0.1M NaCl 0.1M lactic acid and neutral NaF 0.3% (wt) electrolyte, and the potential differences were continuously recorded for 48 hours. Results: The SEM/EDX analysis revealed that INC is a single-unit bracket made of a high gold (Au) alloy while IOV and STB are two-piece appliances in which the base and wing are made of SS alloys. The SS wire demonstrated austenite and martensite iron phase, while NiTi wire illustrated an intense austenite crystallographic structure with limited martensite. All bracket wire combinations showed potential differences below the threshold of galvanic corrosion (200 mV) except for INC and STB coupled with NiTi wire in NaF media. Conclusions: The electrochemical results indicate that all brackets tested demonstrated galvanic compatibility with SS wire, but fluoride treatment should be used cautiously with NiTi wires coupled with Au and SS brackets.

Este ensayo tiene como objeto analizar la dimensión estratégica de la innovación tecnológica. A través de un análisis sobre la tecnología como factor generador de valor en la empresa, resaltando el desarrollo de procesos de innovación tecnológica y su adecuada gestión para conseguir y mantener ventajas tecnológicas, que incrementen la competitividad y la posición de dominio de la empresa, destacando las características esenciales de las etapas de desarrollo de nuevos productos por la empresa y las ventajas derivadas de una buena gestión. Es dentro de este marco de análisis, decidí basarme en el libro de la bibliografía básica de PAVON Morote, Julian; Hidalgo Buchera, Antonio (1997): Gestión e Innovación: Un Enfoque Estratégico. Ed. Pirámide. España. CERI: 658.5 PAV1997.

This study focused on the adsorption characteristics of hazardous heavy metals using reactive inorganic agents in synthetic wastewater. Basic properties of five reactive agents were analyzed by zeta potential, particle size, XRF and SEM. Zeta potential of five adsorbents was 45, 7, 14, -2 and 45 mV, respectively. Average particle size was in the range of 1.4 to 9㎛. By XRF analysis, main components were Na, Al, Si, S and Fe in reactive agents and no great differences in Mg, K, Ca and Ti components. As, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb were used as target heavy metals. Adsorption capacity of Pb and Cu was in the order: TN 315Ny-T3>TN820L>TN315NY.

The transparent β-Si3N4ceramic with a whisker-like microstructure was prepared by hot-pressing at 2000 °C for 26 h, with MgSiN2as an additive. The resultant material achieves the maximum transmittance of 70 % at the wavelength of about 2.5 μm and the transmittance value keeps higher than 60 % in the range of 700-4500 nm wavelength, which is attributed to the very small amount of the intergranular amorphous phase along with high density. The present transparent β-Si3N4ceramic exhibits an indentation fracture toughness of 7.2±0.3 MPa m1/2.

Магістерська дисертація на тему: «Управління стратегічною стійкістю промислового підприємства» містить 113 сторінок, 48 таблиць, 15 рисунків. Перелік посилань нараховує 60 найменувань. Актуальність теми дослідження зумовлена низьким рівнем розвитком показників стратегічної стійкості промислових підприємств під впливом низької фінансової та соціальної активності, обмеженості попиту на виробництво. Необхідність вирішення порушених питань потребує розроблення програми з удосконалення управління стратегічної стійкості підприємства. Зв’язок роботи з науковими програмами, планами, темами. Магістерська дисертація на здобуття ступеня магістра виконувалася згідно з планом наукових досліджень кафедри менеджменту КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського у межах науково-дослідної теми «Управління економічним забезпеченням міжнародних форм бізнесу і підприємництва на основі принципів сталого розвитку та економічної безпеки» (№ ДР 0117U005640). Метою роботи є аналіз, обґрунтування та розроблення практичних рекомендацій з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства. Завдання дослідження. Відповідно до зазначеної мети поставлено такі задачі: ознайомлення с теоретико-методичними основами стратегічної стійкості підприємства. аналіз стратегічної стійкості підприємств виробництв алюмінію. оцінка стратегічної стійкості ТОВ «Зеніт Ко». аналіз стратегічного положення підприємства в контексті стійкості. розроблення програми з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства. реалізація програми підвищення стратегічної стійкості підприємства. економічне обґрунтування доцільності реалізації запропонованих заходів. Об'єктом дослідження є процес розвитку управління стратегічної стійкості промислового підприємства. Предметом дослідження є теоретичні та практичні положення, методичні аспекти, щодо удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю промислового підприємства. Методи дослідження. Виконання дипломної роботи другого (магістерського) рівня вищої здійснено на застосуванні загальних та спеціальних методів дослідження: статистичний аналіз, систематизації та узагальнення; фінансово-економічний аналіз; аналіз показників стратегічної стійкості підприємства. Наукова новизна одержаних результатів. За результатами проведеного дослідження розроблені заходи з удосконалення управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства, зокрема щодо моніторингу рівня стійкості та запровадження з цією метою окремих посад фінансового та бізнес аналітика; підвищення рівня стратегічної стійкості за виробничою складовою, шляхом впровадження нового обладнання. Практичне значення одержаних результатів. Практична значущість дослідження полягає в застосуванні удосконаленого інструментарію управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства, що дозволятиме підприємству втримувати стійкі позиції за фінансовим, виробничим, соціальним факторами. Апробація результатів роботи: 1) Бояринова К.О, Соловйова Т. Е., Особливості управління стратегічною стійкістю підприємства. Економіка, облік, фінанси та право: концептуальні та практичні аспекти розвитку: матеріали Міжнар. наук.-практ.конф.: м.Полтава, 3 грудня 2021 року. URL: http://www.economics.in.ua/2017/10/konference201709. 2) Результати дослідження організаційно-економічного забезпечення розвитку кадрового потенціалу підприємства доповідались на І Міжнародній науково-практичній конференції "Бізнес, інновації, менеджмент: проблеми та перспективи". За результатами досліджень опубліковано тези доповіді: Соловйова Т. Е., Нагорна І. І. Організаційно- економічний розвиток кадрового потенціалу підприємства. Бізнес, інновації, менеджмент: проблеми та перспективи: збірник тез доповідей. C. 74-75. URL: http://confmanagement.kpi.ua/proc/article/view/201213.
The master's dissertation on the topic: "Management of strategic stability of an industrial enterprise" contains 113 pages, 48 tables, 15 figures. The list of links includes 60 items. The relevance of the research topic is due to the low level of development of strategic stability of industrial enterprises under the influence of low financial and social activity, limited demand for production. The need to address the issues raised requires the development of a program to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise. The master's dissertation for the master's degree was performed in accordance with the research plan of the Department of Management KPI. Igor Sikorsky within the research topic "Management of economic support of international forms of business and entrepreneurship based on the principles of sustainable development and economic security" (№ DR 0117U005640). The purpose of the work is to analyze, substantiate and develop practical recommendations for improving the management of strategic stability of the enterprise. Objectives of the study. In accordance with this goal, the following tasks are set: - acquaintance with theoretical and methodical bases of strategic stability of the enterprise; - analysis of strategic stability of aluminum enterprises; - assessment of the strategic stability of Zenit Co. LLC; - analysis of the strategic position of the enterprise in the context of sustainability; - development of a program to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise; - mplementation of the program to increase the strategic stability of the enterprise. The object of study is the process of development of strategic stability management of an industrial enterprise.The subject of research is theoretical and practical provisions, methodological aspects of improving the management of strategic stability of industrial enterprises. Research methods. Execution of the diploma work of the second (master's) higher level is carried out on the use of general and special research methods: statistical analysis, systematization and generalization; financial and economic analysis; analysis of indicators of strategic stability of the enterprise. Scientific novelty of the obtained results. The scientific novelty of the study is as follows. According to the results of the study, measures were developed to improve the management of strategic stability of the enterprise, in particular to monitor the level of sustainability and the introduction of certain positions of financial and business analyst; increasing the level of strategic stability of the production component by introducing new equipment. The practical significance of the results obtained. The practical significance of the study lies in the use of improved tools for managing the strategic stability of the enterprise, which will allow the company to maintain a stable position on financial, production, social factors. Approbation of work results: 1) Boyarinova KO, Solovyova TE, Features of strategic stability management. Economics, accounting, finance and law: conceptual and practical aspects of development: materials International. scientific-practical conference: Poltava, December 3, 2021. URL: http://www.economics.in.ua/2017/10/konference201709.html 2) The results of the study of organizational and economic support for the development of human resources of the enterprise were reported at the First International Scientific and Practical Conference "Business, Innovation, Management: Problems and Prospects". According to the results of research published abstracts: Solovyova TE, Nagorna II Organizational and economic development of human resources of the enterprise. Business, innovation, management: problems and prospects: a collection of abstracts. C. 74-75. URL: http://confmanagement.kpi.ua/proc/article/view/201213.

The last decade has seen a growing interest from academics and practitioners in the development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on information exchange. Most of the evidence gathered within this management research area has been biased towards the role of the buyer/supplier dyadic exchange in the integration of the supply chain. The role of the other parties and the systemic nature of supply chain management have been relatively ignored. Previous research in this area has also been biased due to the narrow focus of investigation, with one problem being obtaining access to all parties involved in the supply chain. The purpose of this study was to overcome the aforementioned research biases and therefore, contribute to the understanding of the collaborative relationship development process from a broader supply chain perspective. Open access was gained to six organisations across three tiers of a coffee supply chain in the UK grocery sector. Within this context, a theory building approach was applied to the data collected in the case study. Through constant comparison and coding of data from multiple strategic, tactical, operational, inter- and intra-organisational exchanges within the same context, several findings were made. An interesting finding from the research is the evolving role of the supply chain integrator, whereby the manufacturer seeks to balance the needs of its retail customers with the sourcing and procurement of raw and packaging materials from its suppliers. In terms of the concepts of supply chain relationships and information exchange, there are a number of common enablers and inhibitors. The inter-relationship between the two concepts is however complex and requires further study. The other findings of the research are expressed as a tentative theoretical framework and a series of new emerging enablers and inhibitors to collaborative relationships and information exchange in the supply chain. Finally the enablers and inhibitors grounded from the case study provide a guide to the relational and often context specific factors that can influence the development of collaborative supply chain relationships based on information exchange.

The very complexity and the extended reach of today’s globe-spanning supply chain networks, the low inventory levels and lack of redundancies required to achieve efficient operations expose businesses to a huge range of unexpected disruptions. This calls for building resilience in supply chains, which is not just recovery from the mishaps, but is a proactive, structured and integrated exploration of capabilities within the supply chain to resist and win against unforeseen happenings. Literature on supply chain and organisational resilience are informative in identifying resilience enhancing strategies and capabilities, but a detailed dynamic analysis of behaviour of the supply chain to understand the suitability of different resilience capabilities over time and under different scenarios is not carried out. The thesis addresses this gap by studying the internal decision making mechanisms, rules and control procedures through development of an agent-based model and its application to a paper tissue manufacturing supply chain. The model with a decentralised informational structure with informed and intelligent combination of push or pull type of replenishment strategy, flexibility, agility, redundancy and efficiency is found to enhance the resilience of the actual supply network in the face of large deviation of demand from forecasts. The effects of adopting several resilience improvement strategies in tandem or in isolation and the impact of applying different behavioural rules by different agents are studied in this thesis by carrying out numerical experimentation. The findings from the experiments suggest that, however flexible the resources are, however well-informed the different members are, however well-integrated the members are through coordination and communication, however wellequipped a supply chain is with mitigation and recovery capabilities the individual managerial judgements that can obtain a balance between various dimensions of performance (both global and local efficiency, quality and speed of responding to customer orders) and resilience (speedy reaction, maintaining buffers, flexibility in resource management) play the most important role in improving the resilience of the entire network. An important contribution of this thesis is to produce a conceptual framework for supply chain resilience. This framework is used to test the appropriateness of different resilience enhancement procedures. Another significant contribution of this thesis is to provide a theoretical template for further research in supply chain resilience. The template will guide development of effective procedures for managing different situations of uncertainty. By using complex systems modelling methods, such as multi-agent models described in the thesis, outcomes of the system under a significant range of possible agent behavioural rules and environmental events can be explored, and improved levels of functioning and of resilience can be found. Building such models as a means to understand and improve resilience of supply networks is a significant contribution.

Bootlegging -the unauthorised projects initiated by an employee and directed toward innovation for the benefit of their organization -is an important aspect of innovation, because it is considered to be a great source of bottom-up innovation within organisations. Since it is clandestine and hidden from management and researchers, it has remained one of the least researched aspects of the innovation process. There are a handful of studies on the topic of bootlegging in the management literature – mainly based on one or a small number of case studies. The research suggests that bootlegging activity can lead to innovative new products and is seen in a positive light by a large majority of authors. However, the existing literature lacks empirical evidence and consensus among different authors on the various aspects of bootlegging such as reasons for bootlegging, underground operation, disclosure stage of bootlegging and its outcomes. Since bootlegging is a clandestine process, after careful consideration of a variety options, it was concluded that in-depth interviews with bootleggers is the most appropriate approach for studying the topic. Network sampling was applied to identify bootleggers and gain their trust. The researcher has utilised his network and attended several professional and engineering conferences to identify and approach bootleggers rather than contacting them through their managers and organisations. Subsequently, 55 in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken. The appropriate research methodology helped to shed light on these under-researched aspects of innovation. Cont/d.

New product development (NPD) is a process that requires the capability to obtain, process and interpret large amounts of market, technical, financial and other information, in order to develop product ideas and evaluate their technical soundness, manufacturability and economic (market) feasibility. This requires organisations and individuals to be able to overcome internal differences and barriers built during the process of differentiation (Lawrence and Lorsch, 1967), and implement an NPD process based on collaboration of structurally separated, yet interdependent, functional units (especially marketing and R&D). Studies have shown that functional integration is a critical aspect of today's NPD's activities (e.g. Song, Montoya-Weiss and Schmidt, 1997), while the introduction of structured models of product development -e.g. stagegate systems- have contributed to increase linking and collaboration in the process (Cooper, 1990; Clark and Wheelwright, 1993). Recent research, however, suggests that high integration is not always desirable or achievable, and that its relationship with other variables might depend on factors such as the stage of the project and product innovativeness (Griffin and Hauser, 1996; Weerd-Nederhof, 1998). Furthermore, there is a need to understand how companies and managers involved in NPD activities can actively promote and encourage integration of functional units during a particular project. The objective of the present thesis is twofold. First it describes and explores the means through which functional integration can be achieved in an NPD context. Second, it explores the relationship between performance in NPD and functional integration under different conditions of project uncertainty and project stage. This work used a mixed-method design to guide the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data is based on 84 semi-structured interviews with people involved in NPD activities in 30 companies in the UK and the Netherlands. Other sources of qualitative data included internal company documentation, observation, computer databases, and companies' web sites. Quantitative data is based on 107 questionnaires completed by project managers working in 47 companies/BUs in the UK and the Netherlands.

This thesis describes the implementation of a Just-in-Time (JIT) cell on a greenfield site. It concentrates on a before and after implementation situation. Various production parameters are analysed to compare flowline performance before and after the implementation of JIT. The study is primarily concerned with the philosophies behind the Japanese management style of JIT and the practical use of JIT in a relatively small production line. Each area of JIT and its associated components are studied and, where practical, executed into practice within the production line. The study includes an investigation of the present manufacturing system and recommends improvements to aid manufacturing output. Total Quality Control, Set-up Reduction, Group Technology, Kanban, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and Value Analysis are tools used to assist the formation of the JIT cell. Results taken after implementation revealed that stock levels reduced by 25%. Shop floor area was reduced by 205 square metres and lead time reduced by 33%. Large arrears in orders were virtually eliminated six weeks after implementation. Warranty claims were greatly reduced. Quality Management greatly enhanced the product and cross-training of operatives was achieved.

It has long been recognised that, in the military sector, the Integrated Logistics Support ILS can significantly enhance system effectiveness and add value to their competitiveness. Hence, it is not surprising that many organisations outside to the military support the ILS adoption to increase their competence level. Even though the ILS underlying theory is general, there is a lack of suitable methodology that facilitates ILS implementation in other industries such as Oil & Gas industry. In particular when considering complex systems with long life-span, the optimisation of maintenance-related activities is important to fulfil system readiness, safety and whole life cost requirements. Modern petroleum equipment like gas turbines and drilling rigs are dependent on readily available maintenance supports in order to maximise their operational ability. Therefore, it has been identified that the study should be conducted to an effective use of ILS with the petroleum industry. In doing so, the usage of the ILS framework as a decision tool for maintenance optimisation is outlined. This framework embraces ILS concepts to support asset managers in developing their maintenance strategies. Level of repair analysis and spare parts management have been identified as potential areas for enhancing the use of ILS. In particular, maintenance optimisation is approached as a trade-off between investment in spare parts level and repair capacity. The developed framework delivers cost-effective support strategies obtained with iterative optimisation algorithm built on heuristics and genetic algorithm techniques. Finally, this algorithm has been implemented into computational algorithms. The framework can be employed to identify the optimum level of spare parts and the optimum amount of repair capacity for multi echelon repair network and multi-indenture systems. The framework has been used to carry out optimisations intended to maximise the availability of gas turbines by varying logistics support parameters. Typical results have shown that a joint optimisation of spare parts and level of repair analysis leads to better results than optimising them separately and emphasises the need for the developed framework. As part of this research, an expert panel validation method has been used to both refine the design of the developed framework and also evaluate its functionality from experienced practitioners within the Algerian petroleum industry. The results of this validation have demonstrated the advantages of integrating spare part management and level of repair analysis LORA to the problem of maintenance optimisation and shown that the framework is able to deliver optimal maintenance supportability decisions. The generic framework developed in this thesis can be seen a novel and comprehensive model for integrating two ILS elements into the operating tool in a manner that improves maintenance support provision, while remaining both flexible and usable; and therefore as a contribution to a better adoption of ILS technique within Algerian Petroleum Industry.

Supply chain uncertainty is a key issue that affects firm competitiveness (1993; Yang et al., 2004); and, therefore, identifying the major sources of uncertainty within supply chains and developing strategies to manage them is an important challenge (Sabri & Beamon, 2000). There is an emerging literature on supply chain uncertainty but additional empirical research is required to further develop understanding of this phenomenon. This leads to an important research question to explore what sources of uncertainty can be identified in practice, what are the dimensions of these sources, and how can they be managed. To address this research question, this thesis has developed a theoretical model of supply chain uncertainty. Using this theoretical model to structure the investigation, an empirical study has been conducted in the food industry in Indonesia with twelve inter-related companies (4 suppliers, 4 iv manufacturers, and 4 retailers). Twenty three semi-structured interviews with thirty two senior representatives from the twelve companies have been conducted; interviews were audio and video recorded, and analysed using Atlas.ti. A comprehensive approach, which goes beyond previous studies, has been undertaken. Fourteen sources of uncertainty, including those internal to the firm (e.g., manufacturing process), internal to the supply chain (e.g., supplier) and external (e.g., environment) have been explored and twenty two management strategies for reducing or coping with the relevant dimensions have been identified Other research contributions are also identified such as the dynamic and multi dimensional process of managing sources of uncertainty. The findings of the thesis have implications for managers. For example, reducing uncertainty strategies such as collaboration are generally preferred over coping with uncertainty strategies but are difficult to implement when sources of uncertainty span beyond the boundaries of the firm. Future research should explore issues emerging from this study, such as ethical issues affecting supply chain uncertainty. Keywords: Supply chain uncertainty; uncertainty management; case study research.

This study develops and empirically tests a model of factors determining green supply chain management practices in organisations. Previous research on aspects of green supply chain management is dominated by anecdotal, sector specific studies that examine specific aspects of the supply chain, such as purchasing or logistics. Many argue this field is embryonic and lacking a structured integrative framework of research. This study addresses this gap by focussing on a whole supply chain approach that provides a synthesis of previous research to develop a model of green supply chain management. The data from a cross-sectoral survey of 149 members the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply is used to test this model, using a variety of multivariate techniques. The model identifies environmental attitude as the primary determinant of green supply chain management practices, influenced to a lesser extent by external legislative factors. The influence of organisational contingencies on this model is also explored, and size identified as the only contingency that influences the relationships in this model. The dominant influence of environmental attitude suggests that within organisations there are internal factors, or individuals, that may push forward the green agenda, and those initiatives that focus on changing the environmental attitude/ culture of an organisation might be the most effective at improving environmental performance. This study suggests that factors previously identified as important within green supply chain management, such as supply chain or competitive pressures, are less influential than expected. However, future research should seek to compare the findings from this study with a larger, cross-sectoral sample that includes diverse organisations from different nations, sectors and levels of channel power.

In mature markets, successful new product introductions are becoming increasingly important for sustaining profitability and business growth (Cravens et al 2002), but evermore difficult to achieve due to factors such as increased levels of competition, rapidly changing market environments, higher rates of technical obsolescence and shorter product lifecycles (Griffin 1997). There is no lack of academic literature with respect tb New Product Development (NPD) as a whole - why it is important, how it is used and the key success factors therein - yet failure rates and the cost of developing new products remain prohibitively high. Working within the context of the UK grocery retail industry this thesis explores how product innovation is affected by Market Knowledge Dimensions, and Cross-Functional Integration within firms and across the supply chain. The research is supplemented by an exploration of the link between Market Information Gathering Activities and the creation of Market Knowledge and the mediating/moderating impact that Knowledge Integration Mechanisms has on Product Innovation Performance. Structural Equation Modelling is used to test a conceptual model developed through a review of the academic literature and exploratory qualitative research. The results of this research highlight the link between market information gathering activities and market knowledge volume and show the importance of Market Knowledge Volume and Market Knowledge Tacitness (in appropriate contxtual environments) in generating successful new products. The research also makes a significant contribution to the current academic literature by suggesting that quantity of collaboration at both an inter- and intra-firm level is not an antecedent of success unless organisations have the R&D strength to turn collaboration at an inter-firm level into internal competencies and competitive advantage.